Stacking Stones​A Creative Craft Blog

From the mind of Jason Kapcala comes an eclectic journal dedicated to the study of creative writing, rock music, tailgating, and other miscellany. The musings, meditations, contemplations, and ruminations expressed here are my own unless otherwise indicated. Please feel free to share your comments, thoughts, and opinions, but do so respectfully and intelligently.

Right now, in our rock and roll writing class my students are finding rock music that inspires them and creating flash nonfiction pieces we are calling "Liner Notes" where they try to capture their elusive, sometimes visceral reactions to the music, using lyrical language, a critical eye, and vivid imagery. This week's entry comes from Dan Joyce, a music blogger who runs the website Green Chamber Studio and a longtime friend.

About Dan:

Music has always been an important part of my life, so I've decided to write about it. There is so much to learn about every type of music out there. You can't judge a person at first glance, and you can't assess a band just by listening to one song. Just as our lives twist and turn, so does the music around us. One of my missions is to spread the word of metal because there's so much great stuff out there, and because I feel there's a lot of misconception. If you listen you can hear a lot different influences in metal music that you might not expect. Who knows, maybe you'll even find something you like. This is rock. This is life. What are you listening to?

Please note: The photo above is not a picture of Dan, it's just a #4. Why? Because this marks our fourth Saturday Morning Soundtrack entry!

"The Lotus Eater" -- Opeth (2008)

For Opeth, the Swedish metal band (who once stated their desire to be the most evil band ever created), “The Lotus Eater” is a song that encompasses all of the sounds, influences, and aspirations of their 20-plus year career. Death growls, blast beats, clean vocals, swirling guitars, pummeling drums, and a few surprises, await you on an almost 9-minute journey through creative prowess of singer/guitarist Mikael Akerfedt and his band of technical masterminds. I was at the show where the YouTube clip of this song was recorded. It was the first time that I saw Opeth live. It was a hot, dusty day in July and the sun was just starting its afternoon descent toward sunset. Packed in with a sea of like-minded metalheads vanquished any discomfort as Opeth charged into a short, but fully loaded 45-minute set. It’s one thing to hear a track digitally recorded, but another thing entirely to hear how bands are able to tackle every nuance in bringing their songs to life with a live audience. In “The Lotus Eater” Opeth showcases their command of sonic force, elegant phrasing, melody, and dissonance. And the blistering organ solo is one my favorite moments from their 20-year catalog. Embrace the journey and let it take you as far as possible.

Thanks, Dan! I enjoyed this. I always find it striking how many metal bands have that strong hint of late-60s rock to them. You can hear a little Hendrix, a little Jim Morrison, in there if you listen. A very good example of artistic influence. Something that is equally present with writers--and yet somehow young writers tend to fret over it--worry about it making them "unoriginal"--in ways that most young musicians don't.